NutraSweet® brand sweetener was discovered in 1965 at G.D. Searle and Company by researcher James Schlatter. He was working on research with amino acids to develop a treatment for ulcers. When he licked his finger to pick up a piece of paper, Schlatter got the world's first taste of NutraSweet. His amino acid combination may not have cured ulcers, but it helped create a product that revolutionized the category of "sweetener" for individuals and food ingredient companies.

Since its introduction in 1981, millions of people worldwide have enjoyed and continue to enjoy more than 5,000 products containing NutraSweet® brand sweetener. As the world's premier sugar substitute, NutraSweet offers great taste and virtually no calories. With regulatory approvals in more than 100 countries on six continents, NutraSweet is the most widely recognized and tested sweetening ingredient in the world.

1965 - NutraSweet® brand sweetener was discovered at G.D. Searle and Company. 1985 - Monsanto acquired G.D. Searle and Company. The NutraSweet Company operated as part of the Monsanto Company Life Sciences Division. May 25, 2000 - J.W. Childs Equity Partners II L.P. purchased The NutraSweet Company from Monsanto, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmacia Corporation.

J.W. Childs Associates, a leading private investment firm located in Boston, focuses on acquiring and growing middle-market companies in partnership with management. Childs has substantial experience in the food, beverage and food ingredient business.

The NutraSweet Company, headquartered in Chicago, stands alone in its ability to provide customers with a full value portfolio including superior quality products, unrivaled technical, R & D and regulatory support, competitive pricing and an experienced management team.

NutraSweet® brand sweetener is sold in more than 100 countries and used in over 5,000 products. It is consumed by 250 million people worldwide.

March 2004 - Craig R. Petray was named Chief Executive Officer of The NutraSweet Company.